2015 Audi A7

With an arresting design, a lavish interior and a surprisingly practical hatchback layout, the Audi A7 four-door-coupe offers a superb balance of style and comfortable versatility. Sure-footed quattro AWD comes standard, and a newly available TDI diesel engine adds mileage of up to 38 mpg to the A7's already-impressive resume.

Recent Changes
The A7 benefits from newly standard safety and convenience features for the latest model year.

Overview
Underneath its attractive skin, the A7 is essentially mechanically identical to the considerably less costly A6 midsize sedan. But unless blending in is your priority, the A7 makes a strong case for itself with inspired, almost Italianate sheetmetal that apes the sleek roofline of a sports car.

The theme continues inside, where flowing lines, metal accents and a variety of available wood trim choices - including exquisite lacquer-less "natural" ash - create a ritzy, fashion-forward environment. Some rear headroom is sacrificed in the name of the A7's dapper lines, but at least Audi has tossed the puzzling two-passenger rear setup for the latest model year in favor of a conventional bench seat that adds space for a third rear passenger.

Because of its hatchback configuration, the A7 provides easy access to its generously sized (24.5 cubic feet) cargo area.

Being a modern Audi, the A7 is equipped with MMI, or multimedia interface, which includes an eight-inch pop-up display, a five-inch information LCD display and an optional heads-up display for the windshield. The MMI also boasts an industry first: the ability to recognize driver handwriting via the touch input pad, allowing for the input of both navigation and telephone information.

The A7 comes standard with Audi connect, which offers in-car WiFi along with real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices. When equipped with an optional navigation system, the system includes Google Earth integration - complete with panoramic views and high-resolution 3D satellite and aerial imagery.

Powertrain Options
The A7 comes with a choice of gasoline or diesel V6 motors.

The standard supercharged 3.0-liter V6 produces 310 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque. It's good for a zero-to-60 mph sprint of 5.4 seconds and fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The optional oil-burning mill is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 unit. Though it makes a relatively modest 240 horsepower, the diesel's V8-like 408 lb-ft of torque allow it to scoot to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds - essentially as fast as the gas V6. Rated at 24 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, the engine sets an impressive new segment standard.

Both powerplants shift through an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Standard and Optional Features
The A7 can be had in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels.

The Premium trim comes standard with leather upholstery, a sunroof, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, an AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM sound system, keyless start and 18-inch alloy wheels. New for the latest model year is Audi side assist - which monitors the blind spot areas and fast-approaching vehicles - as well as Audi pre sense rear, which helps mitigates the consequences of a rear-end collision by closing the windows and sunroof, tightening safety belts and applying partial braking power.

The Prestige trim builds upon the Premium Plus by adding the S line exterior styling with new bumpers and grille, adds a Bose surround sound system, ventilated front seats, adaptive and cornering lights, power adjustable steering column and LED ambient lighting for the interior. Full LED headlights and a head-up display have been added to the standard equipment list for the latest model year.

The Innovation Package adds LED headlights, Audio pre sense plus, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Audi side assist, head up display and Night vision assistant. For the latest model year, this package adds active lane assist and corner view, which allows the driver to see around the corner on the front or rear of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or alleyways.

The Sport Packages include either 19- or 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a three-spoke sport-themed steering wheel.

The Driver Assistance Package is essentially a limited version of the Innovation package aimed exclusively as safety tech, and as such adds just Audio pre sense plus and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.

The final option is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, which adds 15 speakers with a center channel and subwoofer, acoustic lens emerging tweets and speakers covers finished in an elegant aluminum.

Occupant Safety
A luxury car wouldn't be complete without a myriad of active and passive safety features to keep its precious occupants safe, as is the case with the A7. The A7 employs an adaptive restraint system that is integrated into the Audi pre sense safety system, which intelligently manages airbag deployment and seatbelt tensioners simultaneously in the event of a near of actual accident.

The optional Audi pre sense plus system can detect imminent collisions and autonomously apply full braking force to prevent or mitigate the severity of a crash.

Other standard safety items include front, front knee, front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and electronic brakeforce distribution.